Funeral To Be Held Tuesday For Former Emu President

Funeral services will be held in Adrián I Tuesday for Dr. Eugene B. Elliott, I ident of Eastern Michigan University I from 1948 until 1965. Dr. Elliott, 75, who died of a stroke I Saturday in Emma Bixby Hospital, Adrián, was also superintendent of public instruction in Michigan from 1932 to 1945. Elliott, born in Pontiac, attended ! bion College before transferring to Michigan State University where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1924. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of Michigan in 1933 and was awarded honorary degrees from Hillsdale College and Wayne State University. During World War I, Dr. Elliott served as a private first class in the Army Air Corps. The educator started his career in public schools as a teacher in Lansing from 1924 to 1926. Dr. Elliott served as superintendent of schools in Ovid from 1926 to 1931. Dr. Elliott also served as director of research for the Michigan Education Association (MEA). He was also director 'of research and finance for the Michigan Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Elliott was chairman of the Michigan Planning Commission from 1941 through 1947. Between 1935 and 1948 he was a member of the State Board of Education, State Board of Agriculture, State Administration Board and Michigan Teachers Retirement Fund. Dr. Elliott was a member of the American Research Association, the National Education Association, American Council on Education, National Association of School Administrators, and the National Association of College Teachers of Education, of which he served as president in 1956. Dr. Elliott was president of the Association of State Colleges and Universities in 1963. He also was a past president of I the National Council of Accreditation of Teachers of Education. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, YpsiI lanti Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary I Club of Adrián and a life member ofthe iMasons. I Dr. Elliott contributed articles to a Inumber of journals and was the author lof "The Supply Of And Demand For Teachers In Michigan," published in 1933. He was described by a contemporary, Dr. Charles Anspach, former president of Central Michigan University and regent at Eastern, as a "kind-hearted, generous man with all the qualities of a Christian gentleman." Dr. Anspach said: 'Tve never known Gene Elliott to go back on his word or do anything to hurt anyone." Dr. Elliott was the first university president in Michigan to be dismissed by the State Board of Education after he refused to resign under pressure. He served a one-year interim period until his successor, Harold Sponberg, was appointed in 1965. Sponberg said: "With the passing of President Elliott, the State of Michigan has lost a great leader in education whose vigorous career spanned nearly a half century of distinguished service to his beloved state. "As the superintendent of public instruction for 15 years he brought national renown to Michigan education through the development of the public school riculum and substantial financial support I for the schools. "For 17 years he was the president of I Eastern Michigan University, dischargingl the duties of this high office with re-I markable courage and great skill. Hel brought this University from college tol university status and enriched the cur-l riculum, improved the faculty and initia-l ted a vigorous building program. "President Elliott was affectionately regarded by all who knew him and highly respected by everyone. His many colleagues at Eastern, remembering well his vital leadership, will cherish always his warm friendship and his gentle and human personality." Dr. Elliott is survived by his wife, Wilma, and two daughters, Mrs. Patricia Wentz of Adrián and Mrs. Ellen G. Weatherbee of Ann Arbor. The body will be at Braun Funeral Home in Adrián until 11 a.m. Tuesday when it will be moved to the First Methodist Church of Adrián. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the church with burial following at Adrián Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eugene B. Elliott Scholarship Fund at Eastern.